Television stand and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A television stand and a method of using it according to certain embodiments of the invention include a cabinet having a top for supporting a television set from below and for storing at least one electronic component therein. A moveable panel or opening permits access for cabling or recabling the television set and one or more electronic components without having to move the television set or the stand.

RELATED APPILICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application,entitled TELEVISION STAND WITH A FLIPTOP, application Ser. No. TBD,filed Jan. 12, 2007

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a television stand and amethod of using it. It more particularly relates to a television standand a method of using it to facilitate connecting electrically atelevision set and at least one electronic component.

BACKGROUND ART

This section describes the background of the disclosed embodiment of thepresent invention. There is no intention, either express or implied,that the background art discussed in this section legally constitutesprior art.

Television sets have become larger in size and heavier in weight, andlikewise the entertainment centers or other supports that hold them havegotten proportionally larger and heavier as well. The entertainmentcenter is typically located against a wall providing little or no accessfrom the back for cabling or recabling. The television set is storedwithin the entertainment center and many or all of the electroniccomponents related to the television set, such as a cable box, antennareceiver, DVD player, VCR, audio equipment, speakers, and others, may belocated within or on the entertainment center, thereby making theoverall combination even heavier to move. To connect the television setto these components may be quite difficult or awkward due to the sizeand weight of the television set and the entertainment center housingthe components. The television set and/or the large bulky entertainmentcenter may have to be temporarily moved to facilitate permitting accessto the rear of the center for making these connections. Many times ittakes more than one person to move this equipment, and in so doing, thetelevision set may be placed in an undesirable position, where thetelevision set may sustain costly damage by falling or tipping over.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of this invention and the manner of attaining them willbecome apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood byreference to the following description of certain embodiments of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a television stand, which is constructedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention and which isillustrated with certain of its doors and panels shown opened forillustration purposes;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the damping device associatedwith a fliptop panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the television stand of FIG. 1, illustratingthe doors and panels closed and a television set shown in broken lineson top thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partially broken away right side view of the televisionstand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the television stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top, plan view of the television stand of FIG. 1 with aportion of the top being broken away for illustration purposes;

FIG. 7 is a back view of the television stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the speaker grill of the television stand ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9. is a pictorial view of another television stand with a fliptopsimilar to the fliptop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of another television stand according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of a further television stand according toyet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of a still further television standaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a pictorial view of yet another television stand according toa further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a pictorial view of still a further television standaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a pictorial view of another television stand according to yetanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a pictorial view of yet another television stand according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a pictorial view of a still further television standaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a pictorial view of still another television stand accordingto still another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments asgenerally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of thesystem, components and method of the present invention, as representedin the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, asclaimed, but is merely representative of the embodiments of theinvention.

A television stand and a method of using it according to certainembodiments of the invention include a cabinet having a top forsupporting a television set from below and for storing at least oneelectronic component therein. A moveable panel or opening permits accessfor cabling or recabling the television set and one or more electroniccomponents without having to move the television set or the stand.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, there is provided atelevision stand and a method of using it for holding a television setand at least one associated electronic component. The television standmay include a cabinet portion for containing the at least one electroniccomponent, and a top portion for placing the television set. The topportion may include a flat stationary section and a movable sectiondisposed along the back of the top portion. The movable section may beadapted to be moved between a first position substantially inline withthe flat stationary section and a second position slightly greater thanperpendicular with the flat stationary section providing access into theinterior of the back of the cabinet from above the television stand. Themovable section may include a cutout for cables or wires from extendingfrom the television set into the cabinet.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided atelevision stand for holding a television set and at least oneassociated electronic component. The television stand may include acabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two sidesections defining an interior section for holding the associatedelectronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion forholding the television set and include a movable panel disposed adjacentthe back section of the cabinet portion to permit access to the interiorsection of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting thetelevision set and the associated electronic component. The movablepanel may include an opening for routing cables from the television setto the interior of the cabinet portion.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a television stand for holding a television set and at leastone associated electronic component. The television stand may include acabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two sidesections defining an interior section for holding the associatedelectronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion forholding the television set and include a slidable portion to permitaccess to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitateelectrically connecting the television set and the associated electroniccomponent. The top may also include an opening for routing cables fromthe television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provideda television stand for holding a television set and at least oneassociated electronic component. The television stand may include acabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two sidesections defining an interior section for holding the associatedelectronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion forholding the television set and include at least one vent opening topermit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion adjacentthe back section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electricallyconnecting the television set and the associated electronic componentand for routing cables from the television set to the interior of thecabinet portion.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided atelevision stand for holding a television set and at least oneassociated electronic component. The television stand may include acabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two sidesections defining an interior section for holding the associatedelectronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion forholding the television set. At least one of the side sections includinga the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting thetelevision set and the associated electronic component. The topincluding an opening for routing cables from the television set to theinterior of the cabinet portion.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided atelevision stand for holding a television set and at least oneassociated electronic component. The television stand may include acabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two sidesections defining an interior section for holding the associatedelectronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion forholding the television set and include a movable panel disposed adjacentthe one of the side sections of the cabinet portion to permit access tothe interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electricallyconnecting the television set and the associated electronic component.The top may further include an opening for routing cables from thetelevision set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and 3-8, there is shown a television stand10 for facilitating the power connections of a television set 11 (FIG.3) and associated electronic components (not shown) located within thetelevision stand 10 and the connections between the television set andthe associated electronic components. The television stand 10 mayinclude a fliptop 12 located at a rear portion of a top 14 of thetelevision stand 10 to provide access to make the power connections forthe television set and the associated electronic components and to makethe connections between the television set the associated electroniccomponents.

The television stand 10 may be generally a cabinet 16 having a top 14and a pair of side walls 18 and 21. The front of the cabinet 16 mayinclude a removable speaker grill 23 and a media drawer 25 located inthe center, and a doors 27, 29 located on each side of the front of thecabinet 16. The doors may be solid or include a glass insert. The backof the cabinet may be open behind in the area behind a speaker (notshown) in the center, and include panels 32, 34, and 36 covering theother portions of the back of the cabinet 16. Panels 34 and 36 mayinclude slots 38, 41, 43, and 45 for providing access out of the back ofcabinet 16. out of the bottom of the cabinet 16.

The design of the speaker grill may vary, such as shown by a speakergrill 24 in FIG. 8 for example. As shown in FIG. 6, the media drawer mayinclude dividers 105, 107 to permit for orderly organization of audioand video media (not shown), such as DVD's, CD's, video tapes, audiotapes, and the like.

The interior of the cabinet 16 may include a pair of adjustable shelves89 and 92 located behind doors 27 and 29, respectively, for supportingat least some of the associated electronic components (not shown), and ashelf 94 having a vertical backstop 96 behind the speaker grill 23.Additional shelves (not shown) may be included due to the number and/orsize of the associated electronic components or to accommodate otheraccessories.

A power strip 98 may be located on the shelf 94 behind the backstop 96and may include a plurality of outlets 101 for providing power to thetelevision set and the associated electronic equipment and a power cord103 capable of being extended outside the cabinet 16 to an electricaloutlet in the room the cabinet 16 is located.

The top 14 of cabinet 16 may include a substantially flat stationaryportion 47 covering over half of the forward part of the top 14. Thefliptop 12 may be located at the rear part of the top 14. The fliptop 12may be moved from a first position substantially inline with the flatstationary portion 47 of the top 14 to a second position slightlygreater than perpendicular to the flat stationary portion 47 of the top.

The fliptop 12 may including movable lid portion 49 attached to panels34 and 36 of the back of the cabinet 16 using hinges 52, 54, 56, and 58.The hinges 52, 54, 56, and 58 may allow the lid portion 49 to be movedbetween the first position and the second position. The lid portion mayinclude a cutout 61 located at the front center edge of the lid portion49 to facilitate the routing of wires or cables from television setlocated on the top 14 of the stand 10 to the interior of the cabinet 16.

In the first position the lid portion 49 may be disposed to cover thepart of the opening in the rear portion of the top 14 and besubstantially inline with the flat stationary portion 47 of the top 14.From the first position the lid portion 49 may be rotated using thehinges to the second position that is slightly greater thanperpendicular to the flat stationary portion 47 of the top 14.

A pair of damper devices 63, 65 may be utilized to limit the movement ofthe lid portion 49 to slightly greater than perpendicular in the secondposition and prevent the rapid closing of the lid portion 49 into thefirst position. The damper devices 63, 65 may each be attached to oneend of the lid portion and to one of the side walls 18 and 21,respectively.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, the damper device may include a rod67 attached at a first end 69 to the lid portion 49 using a screw 72 orother appropriate attachment device, and a tubular housing 74 attachedat a first end 76 to the side wall 18 via a universal joint 78 or otherappropriate joint. The universal joint 78 may allow the tubular housing74 to rotate in respect to the side wall 18 and may be attached to theside wall 18 using a screw 81 or other appropriate attachment device. Asecond end 83 of rod 67 may extend into a second end 85 of tubularhousing 74. More or less of rod 67 may be disposed within the tubularhousing 74 depending on the position of the lid portion 49. With the lidportion 49 in the first position, a significant portion of the rod 67may be disposed within the tubular housing 74. With the lid portion 49in the second position, only a small portion of the rod 67 near thesecond end 83 may be disposed with the tubular housing 74.

A spring 87 or other suitable damping device may be located withintubular housing 74 with one end attached to the second end 83 of rod 67and the other end attached to the first end 76 of the tubular housing.With the lid portion 49 in the second position, the spring 87 may beallowed to extend to its normal condition. When the lid portion 49 isbeing moved from the second position to the first position, the springmay be compacted and may damp the movement of the lid portion 49 toprevent the lid portion 49 from slamming shut.

In use, the television stand may be moved near the spot of its desiredlocation. The power cord of the power strip may then be routed throughthe appropriate slot in the back or bottom of the cabinet for thedesired electrical outlet in the room. Any other wires or cables fromexternal devices desired to be connect to the television set and/or anyof the associated electronic devices may then be routed into the cabinetthrough the appropriate slot in the back or bottom of the cabinet. Whenall the desired wires or cables are routed into or out of the cabinetthrough the slots, the television stand may be moved into its desiredlocation, typically against a wall.

With the television stand in its desired position against a wall thetelevision set may be placed on top of the television stand, but not onthe fliptop, and the associated electronic components may be placed intothe cabinet into their desired locations. Some of the associatedelectronic components may be placed into the cabinet with theirassociated cables or wires connected and extending toward the back ofthe cabinet.

Once some or all of the television and associated electronic componentsare in place, the fliptop may be moved up to the second positionproviding access from the top of the television stand into the interiorof the rear portion of the cabinet. Through the opening provided by thefliptop, the power cords from the television set and each of theassociated electronic components may be plugged into the outlets of thepower strip, and the appropriate cables or wires connected between thetelevision set, the associated electronic components located within thecabinet, and any external devices located outside the cabinet.

With all desired connections accomplished within the cabinet, the cablesor wires extending from the television set and into the cabinet may begroup together and held in a location corresponding to the cutout in thelid portion of the fliptop. The fliptop may then be moved from thesecond position down to the first position completing the top of thetelevision cabinet with the cables or wires from the television setdisposed in the cutout of the fliptop.

Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a television stand isshown and generally referenced as 100. The television stand 100 may besimilar to the television stand 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, except that itmay not have a center section in the front between doors 109 and 112.The top 101 of the television stand 100 may include a fliptop 103 havinga cutout 105 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (notshown) dispose upon the top 101 to the interior of the televisions stand100. The fliptop 103 may be rotated upwardly toward the back of thetelevision stand 100 to provide an opening 107 in the top 101 to permitaccess to the interior of the television stand 100 for connecting thecables or wires from the television set to power or electroniccomponents (not shown) located within the television stand 100 orconnecting other cables or wires of the electronic components locatedwithin the television stand 100. Similar hinges and dampers as used fortelevision stand 10 may be utilized for the fliptop 103 of thetelevision stand 100.

Referring now to FIG. 10, still another embodiment of a television standis shown and generally referenced as 120. The top 121 of the televisionstand 120 may include a fliptop 123 having a cutout 125 for routing thecables or wires from a television set (not shown) dispose upon the top121 to the interior of the television stand 120. The fliptop 123 may berotated upwardly toward the front of the television stand 120 to providean opening 127 in the top 121 to permit access to the interior of thetelevision stand 120 for connecting the cables or wires from thetelevision set to power or electronic components (not shown) locatedwithin the television stand 120 or connecting other cables or wires ofthe electronic components located within the television stand 120.Similar hinges and dampers as used for television stand 10 may beutilized for the fliptop 123 of the television stand 120.

Referring now to FIG. 11, yet another embodiment of a television standis shown and generally referenced as 140. The top 141 of the televisionstand 140 may include an access hole or opening 152 for routing thecables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposed on top 141 tothe interior of the television stand 140 and a pair of swingable toppanels 143 and 145. The swingable top panels may both be rotatedupwardly toward the front of the television stand 140 as shown by theswingable top panel 143, may both be rotated upwardly toward the back ofthe television stand 140 as shown by the swingable top panel 145, or maybe rotated in different directions as shown in FIG. 6. The swingable topportions 143 and 145 provide openings 147 and 149, respectively, in thetop 141 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 140 forconnecting the cables or wires from the television set to power orelectronic components (not shown) located within the television stand140 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic componentslocated within the television stand 140. Similar hinges and dampers asused for television stand 10 may be utilized for the pair of swingabletop panels 143 and 145 of the television stand 140.

Referring now to FIG. 12, still another embodiment of a television standis shown and generally referenced as 160. The top 161 of the televisionstand 160 may include a pair of swingable top panels 163 and 165, whichmay be rotated upwardly toward the center of the television stand 160 toprovide openings 167 and 169, respectively, in the top 161 to permitaccess to the interior of the television stand 160 for connecting thecables or wires from the television set to power or electroniccomponents (not shown) located within the television stand 160 orconnecting other cables or wires of the electronic components locatedwithin the television stand 160. An access hole (hidden by swingable toppanel 163) may be included in the top 161 for routing the cables orwires from a television set (not shown) disposed on top 161 to theinterior of the television stand 160. Similar hinges and dampers as usedfor television stand 10 may be utilized for the pair of swingable toppanels 163 and 165 of the television stand 160.

Referring now to FIG. 13, another embodiment of a television stand isshown and generally referenced as 180. The top 181 of the televisionstand 180 may include a removable panel 183 having a cutout 185 forrouting the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposeupon the top 181 to the interior of the television stand 180. Theremovable panel 103 may be removed from the television stand 180 toprovide an opening 187 in the top 181 to permit access to the interiorof the television stand 180 for connecting the cables or wires from thetelevision set to power or electronic components (not shown) locatedwithin the television stand 180 or connecting other cables or wires ofthe electronic components located within the television stand 180.

Referring now to FIG. 14, yet another embodiment of a television standis shown and generally referenced as 200. The top 201 of the televisionstand 200 may be slideable and include a cutout 205 for routing thecables or wires from a television set (not shown) dispose upon the top201 to the interior of the television stand 200. The top may be movedfrom a normal position to an access position as shown in FIG. 9 toprovide an opening 203 to permit access to the interior of thetelevision stand 200 for connecting the cables or wires from thetelevision set to power or electronic components (not shown) locatedwithin the television stand 200 or connecting other cables or wires ofthe electronic components located within the television stand 200.

Referring now to FIG. 15, still another embodiment of a television standis shown and generally referenced as 220. The top 221 of the televisionstand 220 may include a center panel 223 having a cutoff 229 for routingthe cables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposed on thetop 221 to the interior of the television stand 220 and a pair ofslideable top panels 225 and 227. The slideable top panels 225 and 227may be slid toward the front of the television stand 220 to provideopenings 232 and 234, respectively, in the top 221 to permit access tothe interior of the television stand 220 for connecting the cables orwires from the television set to power or electronic components (notshown) located within the television stand 220 or connecting othercables or wires of the electronic components located within thetelevision stand 220.

Referring now to FIG. 16, another embodiment of a television stand isshown and generally referenced as 240. The top 241 of the televisionstand 240 may include a pair of vent openings 243 and 245 having ventgrates 247 and 249, respectively. Cables or wires from a television set(not shown) dispose upon the top 241 of the television stand may berouted through either of the vent grates 247, 249 into the interior ofthe television stand 240. The vent openings 243, 245 may be of adimension to permit access by a user with the vent grates 247, 249removed to the interior of the television stand 240 for connecting thecables or wires from the television set to power or electroniccomponents (not shown) located within the television stand 240 orconnecting other cables or wires of the electronic components locatedwithin the television stand 240.

Referring now to FIG. 17, still another embodiment of a television standis shown and generally referenced as 260. The side 261 of the televisionstand 260 may include a swingable side access door 263 to permit accessto the interior of the television stand 260 for connecting the cables orwires from the television set to power or electronic components (notshown) located within the television stand 260 or connecting othercables or wires of the electronic components located within thetelevision stand 260. An access hole may be included in the top 267 forrouting the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposedon top 267 to the interior of the television stand 260. Similar hingesas used for television stand 10 may be utilized for the swingable sideaccess panels 263 of the television stand 260. A similar swingable sideaccess door may be included in the opposite side of the television stand260.

Referring now to FIG. 18, yet another embodiment of a television standis shown and generally referenced as 280. The side 281 of the televisionstand 280 may include a slideable side access door 283 to permit accessto the interior of the television stand 280 for connecting the cables orwires from the television set to power or electronic components (notshown) located within the television stand 280 or connecting othercables or wires of the electronic components located within thetelevision stand 280. An access hole may be included in the top 287 forrouting the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposedon top 287 to the interior of the television stand 280. A similarslideable side access door may be included in the opposite side of thetelevision stand 280.

Each of these television stands shown in FIGS. 9-18 may be utilized asdescribed above for the television stand of FIG. 1. Furthermore, thetelevision stands of FIGS. 9-18 may also include many of the features ofthe television stand of FIG. 1.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed, it is to be understood that various different embodiments arepossible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of theappended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to theexact abstract or disclosure herein presented.

1. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising: a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component; a substantially flat top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set; the top including a movable panel disposed adjacent the back section of the cabinet portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component; and the movable panel including an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.
 2. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is swingable toward the back section of the cabinet portion.
 3. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is swingable toward the front section of the cabinet portion.
 4. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is removable.
 5. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is slidable.
 6. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel includes at least two separate movable pieces.
 7. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the width of the movable panel is at least three inches.
 8. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the width of the movable panel is substantially one half of the width of the top.
 9. The television stand according to claim 1, further including a plurality of hinges attaching the movable panel to the cabinet portion and allowing the movable panel to open slightly greater than perpendicular.
 10. The television stand according to claim 1, further including a least one damper device for preventing the movable panel from slamming shut.
 11. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the interior section of the cabinet portion includes a plurality of shelves for holding the electronic components.
 12. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet portion includes a compartment for holding a speaker.
 13. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet portion includes a drawer.
 14. The television stand according to claim 1, further including at least one power strip disposed within the interior section of the cabinet portion.
 15. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising: a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component; a top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set; the top including a slidable portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component; and the top including an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.
 16. The television stand according to claim 15, wherein the slidable portion includes a center section of the top.
 17. The television stand according to claim 15, wherein the slidable portion includes the entire top.
 18. The television stand according to claim 15, wherein the slidable portion includes at least one side section of the top.
 19. The television stand according to claim 15, wherein the slidable portion is adapted to slide away from the back section providing an opening having a width of at least three inches.
 20. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising: a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component; a top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set; the top including at least one vent opening to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion adjacent the back section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component and for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.
 21. The television stand according to claim 20, wherein the width of the vent opening is at least three inches.
 22. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising: a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component; a top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set; at least one of the side sections including a movable panel adjacent the back section to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component; and the top including an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.
 23. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel is swingable toward the back section of the cabinet portion.
 24. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel is swingable toward the front section of the cabinet portion.
 25. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel is removable.
 26. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel is slidable.
 27. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel includes at least two separate movable pieces.
 28. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the width of the movable panel is at least three inches.
 29. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising: a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component; a top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set; the top including a movable panel disposed adjacent the one of the side sections of the cabinet portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component; and the top including an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.
 30. The television stand according to claim 29, wherein the top further includes another movable panel disposed adjacent the other of the side sections of the cabinet portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion.
 31. The television stand according to claim 30, wherein the movable panels are swingable toward the center of the top.
 32. A method of using a television stand for a television set and at least one electronic component, comprising: using a television stand having a cabinet with a substantially flat top; supporting from below the television set on the flat top; storing the at least one electronic component within the hollow interior of the cabinet; extending electrical cables through an opening in the cabinet to electrically connect the television set and the at least one electronic component; and moving a back panel of the top of the cabinet to permit access to the at least one electronic component stored within the cabinet. 